In my fifteen years of teaching and tutoring tech, I’ve seen everything–and come up with solutions for all of it. I’ll share those with you. My goal: That students (of all ages) feel empowered not frightened by technology, that it is fun not frustrating. These tips will get you there with you and your kids.
Kids always get confused when I’m explaining directions that require the right mouse button. I’ve found an easy way to 
clarify. Here’s an example:
“Right click with your mouse”
Student promptly clicks with their left mouse. I know–doesn’t make sense. It does to them. They’re happy to focus on the right hand and have no idea they need to go one level further. My comeback:
“The other right.”
Always works. And, they don’t feel stupid (which they aren’t). They remember it.
Questions you want answered? Leave a comment here and I’ll answer it within the next thirty days.
Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.
I just purchased the Kindergarten Technology 32 lessons book and in the back it references internet sites that you can use with K5 – it also says to visit Ask A Tech Teacher for links – where are the links?
Hi Pamela–sorry that’s confusing. You can reach it through the Great Websites page on this blog, but here’s the direct link: http://askatechteacher.wordpress.com/great-websites-for-kids/. This is updated a couple of times a year so you’ll have the most current links.
Enjoy the textbook. There are lots of great lessons in there. Feel free to ask any questions as you get into it.
I realize this is an older post but one thing I’ve done with my kindergarten students (and occasionally 1st graders) is to put a foam sticker on the right button to help remind them. It has worked wonders!
I use that, also. It’s a great idea!